NORWALK — Mayoral candidate Andy Garfunkel has resigned from his position as District A Chairman in an effort to focus his attention on his campaign bid.

The announcement was made in an e-mail Saturday night, where Garfunkel called for fellow mayoral candidate Vinny Mangiacopra to do the same.

“With multiple Democrats seeking the endorsement, it creates an appearance of unfairness for a mayoral contender to serve on the Democratic Town Committee Executive Committee as a District Chair until a candidate is finally selected after the primary process,” Garfunkel said. “Therefore, by copy of this e-mail, I call on my colleague, the District D Chairman, to resign his chairmanship immediately as well.”

Vice Chair David Watts is expected to assume Garfunkel’s vacated role by default.

Mangiacopra, 31, fired back in an e-mail sent to The Hour regarding the suggestion he resign.

“I received the same late night e-mail that others received,” Mangiacopra said. “While I respect Andy’s decision to leave his post as District A Chairman, he by no means has the authority to ask any of the other candidates to step down from the roles in which we are serving on behalf of Norwalkers.”

In response to Garfunkel’s announcement, Amanda M. Brown, chairwoman of the Democratic Town Committee, commented in an e-mail to The Hour that he has “misperceived” that the “executive committee would be compromised in its endorsement process in regards to selecting a mayoral candidate.”

Brown wrote that Garfunkel failed to recognize that of the 10 people on the executive committee, the two mayoral candidates would be required to recuse themselves in connection with matters only regarding the mayoral position, leaving eight voting members for those discussions. Otherwise, there would be nothing else hindering any candidate’s ability to participate in the remaining business and governing of the NDTC.

Brown also wrote that despite Garfunkel’s resignation, he still retains his ability to vote for himself when endorsement time comes.

Brown continued to comment, “It is evident that he quit on the committed Democrats in District A that elected him to be their representative and leader in order to promote his desires for citywide office. Further, he called for others to abdicate their elected positions of duty and leadership. This isn't the pattern of good leadership that our party is looking to exemplify.”

Brown also wrote, “Each candidate’s behavior over the coming months will be carefully observed and discussed during our endorsement deliberations by the entire DTC, all 35 members.

“If this is any indication of the Garfunkel campaign's style of leadership, then I find it difficult to believe that an endorsement from the party will be forthcoming.”

Garfunkel, a former town clerk, ran for mayor in 2011 and lost to Republican and current Mayor Richard Moccia by 835 votes. In November 2012, Garfunkel formed a committee to raise money for a rematch this fall.

“Our city needs a mayor with the experience, credibility and vision to bring it to the next level,” Garfunkel said. “My sole focus over the next several months will be communicating with the people of Norwalk and explaining to them why I’m that man.”

Garfunkel said one of the things he has learned from his years spent in public service, is that “it is essential to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.”

“He (Andy) feels everything should be on a level playing field,” said Garfunkel’s Deputy Chairman, David Jaeger. “By resigning, he is choosing to take a step back and remain clear of any internal issues and focus clearly on the campaign.”